{"id":5206,"date":"2015-11-03T11:10:42","date_gmt":"2015-11-03T18:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/?p=5206"},"modified":"2025-02-20T10:14:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T17:14:45","slug":"beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach Getaways: Thailand&#8217;s Many Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-attachment-id=\"5211\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/%e0%b9%80%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%b7%e0%b8%ad-990\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg?fit=990%2C743&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"990,743\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Thailand long boat\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Thailand long boat&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg?fit=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg?resize=640%2C480\" alt=\"Thailand long boat\" class=\"wp-image-5211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg?w=990&amp;ssl=1 990w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD-990.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thailand long boat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that Adventures Within Reach is primarily in the adventure business, specializing in treks, countryside biking, and guided explorations of the amazing archaeological sites, cities, villages, cultures and landscapes of Southeast Asia. But many of our travelers also appreciate some quality down-time on the beach, to unwind and relax, and in Thailand, beaches are never really far away. And everyone knows how beautiful the beaches are. While many coastal areas have been overwhelmed by development, there are just as many that are still incredibly beautiful and worthy of your time, whether it\u2019s a quick 3 days or a full week. Many of the nicest ones are on islands, so we\u2019ll touch on a number of the better- and lesser-known islands in this post. It\u2019s <strong>easy to add beach time<\/strong> to <a href=\"http:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/southeast-asia\/?t=thailand\">any custom AWR trip in Thailand<\/a>, just ask!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Krabi \u2013 <em>Scenic and Relaxed&nbsp;<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">For adventure &amp; nature\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Vibe:<\/strong> Laid-back, scenic, and ideal for nature lovers.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Best For:<\/strong> Travelers looking for stunning limestone cliffs, quiet beaches, and adventure activities.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Beaches:<\/strong> Ao Nang, Railay Beach, Tonsai Beach (great for rock climbing).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Activities:<\/strong> Island hopping (Phi Phi Islands, Hong Islands), kayaking, rock climbing, hiking to Tiger Cave Temple.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Nightlife:<\/strong> More relaxed than Phuket and Koh Samui, with beach bars and casual nightlife.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best Time to Visit (Peak Season)\u00a0<\/strong><strong>November \u2013 April<\/strong> (Dry &amp; Cool Season)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Phuket \u2013 <em>Lively and Diverse<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">For nightlife &amp; variety<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vibe:<\/strong> Busy, developed, and offers a mix of luxury and nightlife.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Best For:<\/strong> First-time visitors, families, and those who want a mix of nightlife, beaches, and city life.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Beaches:<\/strong> Patong (busy &amp; party scene), Kata, Karon (more relaxed), and Surin (luxury vibe).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Activities:<\/strong> Jet skiing, snorkeling, diving, island hopping (James Bond Island, Similan Islands), and Big Buddha.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Nightlife:<\/strong> The most vibrant of the three, especially in Patong (Bangla Road).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best Time to Visit (Peak Season)\u00a0<\/strong><strong>November \u2013 April<\/strong>\u00a0(Dry &amp; Cool Season)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Koh Samui \u2013 <em>Upscale and Tropical<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">For a luxury, romantic getaway<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vibe:<\/strong> More upscale and relaxed, great for couples and honeymooners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Best For:<\/strong> Luxury resorts, spa retreats, and a mix of nightlife and tranquility.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Beaches:<\/strong> Chaweng (busiest with nightlife), Lamai (relaxed), Bophut (charming Fisherman\u2019s Village).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Activities:<\/strong> Snorkeling, diving, Ang Thong National Marine Park, waterfalls, and temple visits (Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Nightlife:<\/strong> Lively but more sophisticated than Phuket, with beachfront bars and clubs.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best Time to Visit (Peak Season)\u00a0<\/strong><strong>December \u2013 August<\/strong> (Longer dry season)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Phuket<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most famous island in Thailand and probably the #1 choice for most of our travelers. It\u2019s super easy to get to from Bangkok, with numerous flights daily. Unfortunately the island gets a bad rap because it can be quite the party place and sometimes can seem overloaded with Russian tourists on certain beaches. However the reality is that about 90% of American travelers to Thailand will stay on Phuket (or Krabi) at some point in their trip. We help our travelers avoid the crowded party beaches and put you in places that are more quiet and relaxed. There are a ton of accommodation options so you can stay in everything from backpacker guesthouses to 5-star elite places in Phuket. The real plus here, besides its beautiful beaches and compelling beach hotels, is that there\u2019s a lot to do here activity-wise, so if you are not strictly a beach lounger, you\u2019ll have loads of fun things to do and see. I\u2019ll outline a few of the <strong>best excursions in Phuket<\/strong> and sites in and around. &nbsp;We can carefully arrange guides and transportation in advance or you can simply wing it while you are there:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If time allows, be sure to enjoy a stroll on the enchanting long and empty beach at <strong>Thai Muang<\/strong> situated about an hour drive\u2019s north of Phuket in Phangnga province. Travelers always ask for long deserted beaches and this one works to perfection. It is a wild, protected area, with sea turtles arriving to lay eggs from December to February.<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5219\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/gibbon-rehabilitation_phuket\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?fit=990%2C705&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"990,705\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D90&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1316773052&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;110&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?fit=640%2C456&amp;ssl=1\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5219\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" alt=\"Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Gibbon-rehabilitation_Phuket.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hiking in the <strong>Khao Phra Taeo forest<\/strong>, the island\u2019s last surviving rain forest, can be a magical experience. The forest here is home to hornbills, macaques, assorted snakes and the rare white palm, considered endemic only to Phuket.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Gibbon Rehabilitation Center<\/strong> in the Khao Phra Taeo forest reserve rehabilitates gibbons that have been used as photo props for tourists. Here they are gradually rehabbed and released into the surrounding primeval forest. This is one of the most successful primate projects in the world with scores of releases over the last 20 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Travelers can hire a long tail boat and take a day trip to the island of <strong>Koh Yao Noi<\/strong> from the small local pier at Bang Rong on the northeast side of Phuket. Here the rugged green vista of <strong>Phang Nga Bay<\/strong> opens up, with its towering limestone outcrops rising straight from the sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This may be a little further afield, but well worth considering for nature lovers is a guided day trip from Phuket to <strong>Khao Sok<\/strong> to visit the oldest rainforest in Thailand. The highlight of the trip is <strong>Cheow Lan Lake<\/strong> with its towering peaks, peaceful green waters and quaint floating houses. It\u2019s only a few hours\u2019 drive north of Phuket.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-attachment-id=\"5214\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/phuket-food-market\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?fit=990%2C862&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"990,862\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1400433587&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.12&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;32&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00353356890459&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Phuket-food-market\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?fit=640%2C557&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" alt=\"Phuket-food-market\" class=\"wp-image-5214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Phuket-food-market.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phuket food market<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Closer in, right in Phuket, is the <strong>fresh market<\/strong>&nbsp;on Rassada Road. We\u2019d suggest an early morning visit, maybe around 7 am or so, when it is bustling with action. The sights, people and smells are sure to surprise even the most well-seasoned traveler. Not terribly far away is the unique <strong>amulet market<\/strong> in the small soi (side street), just opposite of the Shrine of Serene Light (Thai Saeng Jao Tham) on Phangnga Road in Phuket town. At the market, amulets can be \u201crented\u201d either for luck or protection. Located above a small klong (canal), the market is one of the hidden gems in town. The <strong>Shrine of the Serene Light<\/strong> is itself a pleasure. It is one of the oldest shrines in the city and is the place to ask the Chinese gods what will happen to you in the future. Then on Thalang Road in Phuket town, you can check out the <strong>Nguan Choon Tong Herb Shop<\/strong> (look for the sign, \u201cOldest Herbs Shop\u201d). This is the oldest traditional pharmacy in town. They have been creating potions and remedies for over 70 years. Just tell them what you need and they will prepare a custom-made medicine or tea based entirely on natural products. The shop is living history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ko Samui<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-attachment-id=\"5213\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/990-emerald-lake-thailand\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?fit=990%2C1227&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"990,1227\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Emerald Lake, reached from Ko Samui&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?fit=640%2C793&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" alt=\"Emerald Lake, reached from Ko Samui\" class=\"wp-image-5213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/990-Emerald-Lake-Thailand.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emerald Lake, reached from Ko Samui<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The most popular of the islands on the east coast of Thailand. Typically it&#8217;s most popular with our travelers when Krabi and Phuket are in their monsoon season, which is generally June, July, and August. Samui is great because you can fly directly there from Bangkok or take an easy ferry from Surat Thani. A ton of amazing hotels are located on the beaches with a nice variety of water-based activities including snorkeling <strong>Ang Thong Marine Park<\/strong>, sunset cruises and sea kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ko Tao<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-attachment-id=\"4828\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/03\/31\/scuba-diving-in-thailand-trip-january-16-23-2016\/thailand-scuba-turtle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"thailand-scuba-turtle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Thailand offers fantastic underwater diversity&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" alt=\"Thailand offers fantastic underwater diversity\" class=\"wp-image-4828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/thailand-scuba-turtle.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thailand offers fantastic underwater diversity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This island is best known for its diving resorts. A lot of people come here primarily because it&#8217;s a cheap place to get your dive certification. Located off the east coast of Thailand, it\u2019s primarily the haunt of backpackers looking for cheap accommodations and divers, so we rarely send travelers here. Another minus is that it&#8217;s the furthest island of the three main ones of the East Coast Islands and there\u2019s really not much to do activity-wise here other than diving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ko Lanta<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a much quieter and laid-back island compared to a popular tourist island like nearby Ko Phi Phi. Most people who travel here are luxury clients who stay at Pimalai Resort and Spa and Layana Resort and Spa. This island is much more easily accessible from Krabi and most people go there to have time free at their leisure to explore the sights on&nbsp;their&nbsp;own. Lanta is not nearly as busy as Phuket or Krabi but one should also bear in mind that there\u2019s also much fewer choices in restaurants, bars, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ko Phangan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most notable for its&nbsp;&#8220;Full Moon Party,&#8221; it&#8217;s heavy on the backpacker and party scene. While not popular with our travelers, there are some really beautiful resorts for the high-end American travel market. It\u2019s located in between Samui and Ko Tao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ko Yao Yai<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most often reached by boat from close-by Phuket with Yao Yai resorts usually organizing the service, like a private water taxi. This is a quiet, relatively undeveloped island with stunning beaches and nice views of nearby karst islands. There are almost no cars on the island. You are probably more likely to hear the sounds of fisherman setting and lifting nets. This is a great island to &#8220;unplug&#8221; and get away from it all. Ko Yao Noi is nearby and another nice island to visit, though a little more developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/southeast-asia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about our customizable trips to Southeast Asia &gt;&gt;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s no secret that Adventures Within Reach is primarily in the adventure business, specializing in treks, countryside biking, and guided explorations of the amazing archaeological sites, cities, villages, cultures and landscapes of Southeast Asia. But many of our travelers also &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2015\/11\/03\/beach-getaways-thailands-many-islands\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Beach Getaways: Thailand's Many Islands #travel #Luxury #TravelTuesday #TT @awradventure","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[50,74],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-southeast-asia","category-thailand"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Xxsg-1lY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5206"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13283,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5206\/revisions\/13283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}